Religion Matters: Take time today to honor the message of Christmas

SAM WOLFE/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS
The Rev. Scott Alexander lights the Advent chalice during the Sunday morning service at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach. “The true work of Christmas, which Jesus of Nazareth taught during his lifetime, remains unfulfilled,” Alexander said.

It's Christmas Day.

Children are unwrapping gifts in their pajamas, wondering when the jolly, bearded old man snuck into their home. And families are gathering near Christmas trees and feasting on the holiday foods they wish they could eat year-round.

If only for a second today, the Rev. Scott Alexander of Vero Beach wants to remind you of something. Or someone, really: a humble, kind Jewish prophet who lived 2,000 years ago in the sweltering desert of Nazareth.

Whether Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist or Atheist, the message of Jesus is a profound one we can all emphasize today.

"Love your neighbor

"Share what you have with the poor.

"Feed the hungry.

"House the homeless.

"Visit the prisoner.

"Care for the vulnerable.

"Embrace the outcast.

"Visit the sick.

"Remember that you are your brother's and sister's keeper," Alexander said.

"What could be more spiritually important — in this fragile season of love and hope," he said, "than keeping Jesus in Christmas by reaching out to those around us with love, compassion, gentleness and care?"